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Conte admits Chelsea ‘lost their heads’, refuses to comment on ref

Date published: Saturday 12th August 2017 6:13

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte was disappointed with his side’s discipline during their 3-2 defeat at home to Burnley on Saturday.

The Blues had captain Gary Cahill dismissed after only 14 minutes following the defender’s reckless challenge on Steven Defour before going 3-0 down with Sam Vokes netting twice either side of Stephen Ward’s effort.

Alvaro Morata got one back for Chelsea before Cesc Fabregas made their job even harder when he was also sent off.

David Luiz did get another back but it was too little too late for nine-man Chelsea and Antonio Conte wouldn’t comment on the referee after the match.

“The sending off of Cahill was a key moment, because to play the rest of the game with 10 and then nine men is not easy,” said Conte. “In recent games we have finished with nine or 10 men.

“I have to try to adapt a new system and to anticipate playing with nine or 10 men in the next game. I don’t want to comment on the referee, absolutely not.

“We tried until the end to reach a good result against Burnley – it was a pity because our fight in the second half was very good.

“But our first half we kept losing our heads – after the red card we lost our heads, conceded two goals and then it’s very difficult to change the final result.”